Exclusive with ‘Academy Award’ winner Octavia Spencer on her fear of crossing streets…

‘Insurgent’ a science fiction, young adult novel by American novelist Veronica Roth and the second book in the Divergent Trilogy. As the sequel to the 2011 bestseller ‘Divergent’, it continues the story of Tris Prior and the dystopian post-apocalyptic version of Chicago. Following the events of the previous novel, a war now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. While trying to save the people that she loves, Tris faces questions of grief, forgiveness, identity, loyalty, politics, and love.

Did you get all that? Well, no worries because all you need to focus on is the Academy Award winning actress Octavia Spencer who plays Johanna in the sci-fi trilogy. JETSS reporter Luiza Florence sits across Ms. Spencer and gets the scoop on her character and her own neurotic fears.

JETSS: In what way do you relate to your character Johanna?Octavia Spencer: Johanna is nurturing, kind, she practices patience and restraint at crucial moments; I don’t have any of those qualities [laughs). I’m nurturing to some extent and I try to be kind. But I think that might be the closest we have in common.

JETSS: The film portrays a lot of fear, what are some of your fears?OS: Oh honey, I have a long least of fears, I’m pretty neurotic; I don’t like snakes or bugs or crossing streets. I was almost hit by a car when I was kid so I have a thing about crossing streets. The wonderful thing about how Veronica Roth the writer explores fear in the book series, is that she makes us own up to our fears. That’s what builds character… when you face adversity!

JETSS: What is your relationship with the rest of the cast:OS: The cast is amazing, they are so wonderfully talented and unique in their own way; Shai [Shailene Woodley] is the nurturer of the group, Theo [James] is a practical joker and then he’s very serious, Miles [Teller] is a prankster, Ansel [Elgort] is also very pretty funny and Mekha [Phifer] is more reserved but also funny. It’s a beautiful little stew of people.

JETSS: As a teenager did you have any insecurities you over came?OS: I think insecurities are always going to be there, it just depends on how much you allow them to rule you. I think kids need to understand that you always feel like you’re the only one experiencing something, but they should know they’re not alone. I think we all feel at times like we don’t belong.